Stage 2 — Mechanical acceptance (FAT)

Performed at the manufacturer’s test bench before shipping. Buyer should witness in person, or appoint a third-party witness. Do not accept a shipped pump on a paper certificate alone.

2.1 Hydrostatic test — NFPA 20 §14.1.4 / NBR 16704 §14.1.4

Parameter	Required	Field
Test pressure	1.5 × max working pressure, ≥ 250 psi (17.2 bar)	_____ bar
Hold time	3 minutes minimum	_____ min
Acceptance	Zero visible leakage from casing, no permanent deformation	☐ Pass ☐ Fail

2.2 Performance curve — NFPA 20 §6.2 / NBR 16704 §6.2

The 65/100/140 envelope is the heart of fire-pump acceptance. Every fire pump curve must lie inside this:

Head, % of rated
        │
   140% ●───╮ shut-off (max)
        │    ╲
   100% │     ●  rated point
        │      ╲
    65% │       ●  150% flow (min)
        │
        └─────────────────── Flow, % of rated
        0      100    150

Test point	Flow	Required head	Measured	Pass?
Shut-off (churn)	0% rated Q	≤ 140% rated H	_____ m	☐
Rated	100% rated Q	100% ± tolerance	_____ m	☐
150% flow	150% rated Q	≥ 65% rated H	_____ m	☐

Tolerance per HI 14.6 Grade 1U (mandatory for fire pumps, NFPA 20 §14.2.6.2):

• Flow: ±5%
• Head: ±3%
• Efficiency: -3% (efficiency may be lower than guaranteed by 3 percentage points; never higher acceptance criterion)

2.3 NPSHr verification — NFPA 20 §6.2.1.3 / NBR 16704 §6.2.2

NPSHr is measured by progressive suction-pressure drop until head drops 3% (the “3% drop” criterion of HI 14.6).

Flow point	NPSHr measured	Stated on curve	Match?
Rated flow	_____ m	_____ m	☐
150% flow	_____ m	_____ m	☐

The curve plot must show NPSHr versus Q across the operating range. A single-point NPSHr value is not acceptable — request the full curve.

2.4 Bearing temperature rise — NFPA 20 §14.2.7 / NBR 16704 §14.2.7

After 1 h of continuous running at rated point:

• Bearing temperature rise ≤ 40 K above ambient
• No bearing temperature exceeds 80 °C absolute (whichever is more conservative)
• Thermocouple log attached to FAT certificate

2.5 Vibration — NFPA 20 §14.2.8 / NBR 16704 §14.2.8

Per HI 9.6.4 limits, measured at all bearing housings:

Pump speed	Velocity limit (RMS)
≤ 1.800 rpm	5.0 mm/s
> 1.800 rpm	7.1 mm/s

For close-coupled motor pumps, also measure at the motor non-drive end.

2.6 Coupling alignment — NFPA 20 §6.4.1 / NBR 16704 §6.4

For separately-coupled pumps:

• Total Indicated Runout (TIR) parallel: ≤ 0.05 mm
• Total Indicated Runout (TIR) angular: ≤ 0.05 mm/100 mm coupling diameter
• Cold alignment recorded — verify hot alignment after first 4 h running

2.7 Casing nameplate — NFPA 20 §4.30 / NBR 16704 §4.27

The nameplate must include, in legible form:

• Manufacturer name and address
• Pump model and serial number
• Rated flow (gpm and L/min)
• Rated head (psi/ft and bar/m)
• Rated speed (rpm)
• Maximum allowable working pressure
• NPSHr at rated flow
• Listing mark (UL or FM, where applicable)
• Date of manufacture

2.8 FAT sign-off

Field	Entry
Manufacturer	_________
Pump serial number	_________
Witness name	_________
Witness organization	_________
Witness signature	_________
Date	_________
Acceptance status	☐ Accepted ☐ Conditional ☐ Rejected
Conditions / exceptions	_________

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Next stage: Electrical acceptance — controller and transfer switch.